Women’s Writing Salon: details
This Saturday, September 11 starting at 4pm, I have the honor of sharing 3 of my original songs with the Women’s Writing Salon at Sierra Mountain Coffee Roasters in Grass Valley, CA. Here is the order of readers and our bios:
1. Catherine Scholz
2. Ann Keeling
3. Christine Irving
4. Jan Fishler
5. Kirsten Casey
6. Ronnie Paul
BIO’S
1. Catherine Scholz is a singer-songwriter and composer born and raised in the Milwaukee area with a degree in Music from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She moved to northern California in 1999 and she is currently working on a number of original pieces from a variety of genres: folk, folk-rock, and instrumental ambient dance tracks. She is also eagerly anticipating her 2nd child in late October. Her website is: catherinesmusic.com.
2. Ann Keeling is a writer, editor, and personal writing coach who has taught at universities and high schools. Most recently, she taught Creative Writing at Ghidotti Early College High School. Her passion lies in helping students increase their writing mastery and find the brilliance of their unique voice. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College and an MFA in Dance from UCLA. She lives in Grass Valley with her husband, son, and a black-and-white dog.
3. Christine Irving is a poet and playwright. She performs frequently in local venues and is the author of a book of poetry, Be a Teller of Tales and a CD, Originals. Her latest endeavor is a chapbook of poetry entitled, The Naked Man. Her books for children, Prickly Predicaments, Prickly Passages and The Mystery of the Black Madonna are available on Kindle. She is currently working on a novel about Mary Magdalene.
4. Jan Fishler recently completed an adoption memoir, Searching for Jane, Finding Myself. Now, she spends much of her time learning everything she can about marketing books and implementing the various techniques and strategies she’s read about. In her free time, Jan walks her golden retriever on the Gracie ditch, kayaks on lower Scott’s Flat Lake, and dreams about having her book included in Oprah’s book club.
5. Kirsten Casey earned her MA in Creative Writing over 18 years ago, and she continues to work on advanced degrees in mothering, stain removal, and chauffeuring. Occasionally she writes a poem. She lives in Nevada City with her lovely husband, three loud children, and neurotic dog. She would rather be here than anywhere else.
6. Some things never change. Ronnie Paul continues to practice yoga diligently, cook incessantly, write memoirs sporadically and salsa dance flamboyantly. Further more, she still hasn’t written her promised cookbook or learned how to text message. Her aspirations include living in a body that never aches or pains and allowing herself to sit and read novels in the afternoon.
Upcoming solo performance: Women’s Writing Salon
My next solo appearance will be at the Women’s Writing Salon in Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, September 11th (re-imagining this date in our history). I will be performing Last Long, Blue Day, Carol Ann (a new upcoming release!) and Whirlwind Girl.
Then I will take a break to bring a new piece of human-life-music into our world around October 26th (that’s code for “baby!”). Michael and I are feeling very blessed by this gift of new life coming to us. My son, Nathan (8 years) is also looking forward to becoming a big brother!
Blessings of harmony,
Catherine
We’re at 91 – but I was wrong about the rules for the semi-finals!
Either they changed the rules or I was hallucinating, but I just downloaded the official rule sheet from OurStage.com and we need to be in the top 20 to make the semi-finals by Monday night! Impossible? Hardly. With your help, we got this! Here’s how:
If you want to guarantee our track, Right Here Now, will come up at least once a day in your judging process, simply make Catherine Scholz your “favorite artist” by clicking the green button above once, then click it again when you get to the OurStage website.
Then,
Judge on OurStage or Judge on Facebook
We’re at 104/632 in the Lilith Fair Contest! How to make our track come up at least once a day
If you want to guarantee our track, Right Here Now, will come up at least once a day in your judging process, simply make Catherine Scholz your “favorite artist” by clicking the green button above once, then again when you get to the OurStage website.
We’re only 4 spots away from making the semi-finals in the Lilith Fair Competition! Have you been judging online? THANK YOU!!!!
Lilith Fair Contest: We’re at 117/634 – need to get into top 20 by Monday to make semi-finals
We’re at 117/634 – getting so close to the top 100 – and the top 20 is where we need to be by Monday to make semi-finals. This is so exciting to think we have a shot at playing at Lilith Fair on July 5th in San Francisco. The thought of putting together a band and rehearsing a full set, then performing for thousands on people seems like it’s actually within reach!
Would you be willing to spend 20 minutes or more judging tracks until Monday to help us reach the semi-finals? If you get to our track, take a screenshot and send it to us and we will send you some goodies!
Judge on OurStage
or Judge on Facebook
Another couple of ways you could help:
1) Leave a comment on the page for our track
2) “Like” the track while you are logged into Facebook
THANK YOU!!
Lilith Fair Contest: We need your help!
Lilith Fair Contest Update: our track has slid to 365/566!
Can you help? Here’s an incentive for taking some time out of your schedule to help us out.
1) Follow this direct link to judge tracks in the California category
2) Judge tracks until you get to Right Here Now
3) Take a screenshot of the page (how-to tutorial here)
4) Email the screenshot image to info@catherinesmusic.com with your mailing address.
5) We will send you an autographed Whirlwind Girl CD and 2 brand new releases, Right Here Now and You Are Loved (new world-fusion dance track – yummy!).
Thanks so much for your support!
Stay tuned to my Facebook page for more frequent updates!
New song sample: “Right Here Now”
I am excited to share this preview sample of “Right Here Now” with you. This song is being co-produced with Michael Logue at SunSound Studios in Grass Valley, CA. Enjoy the expanded slow rock feel with vocal harmonies and lyrics that remind us to stay present.
Tomorrow at the See Jane Do Passion into Action Conference, I will be performing this song live shortly before 1pm.
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This song is going to be on the next album, scheduled to be released on 2010.
Lyrics:
Sometimes she speaks without making a sound.
Sometimes she screams so loud it shakes the clouds.
Oh, but she’s right here now.
Sometimes I feel like a ghost in this town.
Sometimes I feel like an angel flying around.
Oh, but I’m right here now.
Sometimes he floats away from the light.
Sometimes he shines like a star in the night.
Oh, but he’s right here now.
ShrimpFest 2009 with the Ginger Ninja’s
What a beautiful night among friends at the South Yuba River on last Saturday, 7.11.09. On a granite slab jutting out over the water, Michael and I mused for the river folks through the Ginger Ninja’s pedal-powered sound system. The acts that followed us included Ruby Turple with Cedar • Bear Dyken with Summer Moon • The Ginger Ninjas • Obo Martin • SHAKE YOUR PEACE! and Fossil Fool. Definitely a night to remember. Thanks, Kipchoge, for inviting us to shrimp with you at the river!

Photos by Thomas Spellman
Lyrics to “Just Not Like Her”
Just Not Like Her
Lyrics and music by Catherine ScholzSome say she rations her kisses.
Some say she’s selling the lot.
Some say she’s smoking the smidgens of something she simply is not.
Come drink from her wineglass of wishes.
Maybe she’ll give you a shot.
‘Cause brother, you’re just standing witness.
Remember the love that you’ve got.
You see, this is her reckless memory of kisses and sweetness and wine.
Some say that she’s pining for penance,
dropping light-years down endless heart-mines.
But silence is all she requires for dancing and diving within.
So no one can make her a promise.
No one can do that again.
Can love track her down in the darkness?
She bids love to wring out the red.
Can lovers reshape the old treasons that run like the wind through her head?
She’s never been quite so forsaken.
She’s never been quite so unsure.
Her soul has not been quite this shaken.
She’s never allowed this before.
And it’s just not like her to be waiting around,
Standing alone with her feet on the ground.
No, it’s just not like her to be humble and free,
Hungry for humor and mystery.
Please come to her garden of wishes
and maybe she’ll give you a plot.
‘Cause brother you’re just standing witness.
Remember the love that you’ve got.
Lyrics to “Whirlwind Girl” by Catherine Scholz
Whirlwind Girl
Lyrics and music by Catherine ScholzWhirlwind girl, spinning dust.
Spinning Tree, she must be lost by now.
By now her leaves have gone from green
to shades of yellow, orange, red,
to bridges, then to rivers,
then to sea…
Whirlwind girl, spinning time.
Spinning Tree, she must be fine right now.
By now she’s light, though lost and nameless,
hungrier, though young and blameless,
strange to be given something free.
CHORUS:
Growing her roots straight down,
waving her leafless crown,
holding the cryin’ ground,
Spinning Tree.
Whirlwind girl, spinning gold.
Spinning stars, she must be old by now.
And like the nights, her sighs grow longer.
And as her tender roots grow stronger,
Her heart becomes a whirlwind spreading dust,
as it must.
Whirlwind girl, spinning round.
Holding Earth, she knows to kiss the ground.
Forever home, though lost and nameless,
Hungrier, though young and blameless,
Strange to be given something free. Spinning Tree.
CHORUS
Whirlwind Woman, spinning fire.
Spinning sound, her own desires near.
Happier, her name is faceless,
Healthier, though old and blameless,
strange to be given something free,
and now it’s strange to be GIVING something free,
Spinning Tree.
CHORUS
My first podcast: “Whirlwind Girl” by Catherine Scholz with Michael Logue
This is my first Podcast – a sample of the title track of my 2008 release, “Whirlwind Girl (available on iTunes).” I recorded this album at SunSound Studios in Grass Valley, CA with guitarist/engineer, Michael Logue. For reviews, videos, photos, interviews and more, please visit my website. And if you like what you hear, you can sample the rest of my tracks here: “Listen to Whirlwind Girl.”
Make music, not war…
- Catherine Scholz (artist website)
Catherine’s Piano Classes for Children
Music Literacy Through Piano Classes
taught by Catherine Scholz
Catherine created her Music Literacy Through Piano Classes from over 11 years of training and experience as a credentialed K-12 music educator and board-certified music therapist.
Her compassionate teaching style and individualized instruction give students a solid musical foundation on which to build a lifetime love of music.
Catherine’s students enjoy learning how to play, sing, read and write music through a variety of modes:
- 1:1 Piano, vocal and rhythmic instruction
- Music theory workbook
- Interactive ear-training program that facilitates note-name and pitch recognition
- Independent practice with headphones
Students are given the opportunity to perform in a yearly spring recital. After graduating from Catherine’s program, students may go on to study piano, composition or any musical instrument with a deep understanding of how music works. Contact Catherine for more information: 530-906-6529 and/or visit http://musicliteracythroughpianoclasses.com.
Non-Violent Communication
From SoundsTrue: “Marshall Rosenberg’s remarkable process of Nonviolent Communication™ has gained worldwide recognition as a tool for turning even the most volatile situations into a natural interchange of compassion, generosity, and mutual enrichment. Modeled after this visionary peacemaker’s nine-day international intensive retreats, The Nonviolent Communication Training Course presents the first ever self-guided curriculum for putting Rosenberg’s transformative ideas into everyday practice—whether you’re at the office, at the dinner table, in a parent-teacher conference—any situation where you want to honor what is alive in yourself and others. Join the pioneering creator of NVC for more than 9 hours of in-depth instruction that includes:
- nine immersive CDs that teach you how to use NVC to discuss difficult emotions, deepen intimate relationships, mediate impossible conflicts, and much more
- workbook with more than 50 exercises to strengthen your ability to successfully apply NVC in the field
- seven Nonviolent Communication training cards you can use on the spot to express yourself and listen to others”
Buy this for yourself or give this as a gift to your loved ones to learn how to create more harmony in all of your relationships. Believe me, it’s worth it!
Radio Interview – April Miranda of Mountain Beat Productions interviews Catherine Scholz
Back in October, 2008, April Miranda of Mountain Beat Productions interviewed me on internet radio station, OpenMindRadio.com.
This interview includes questions about my songwriting process, musical influences, how I got started, advice for upcoming musicians, two live in-studio performances and song samples from my 2008 release, Whirlwind Girl.
It’s about 20 minutes long, so kick back, relax and enjoy!
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